Rick Vernon named part-time code enforcement officer
SOUTH UNION TWP. – Supervisors named Rick Vernon as a part-time code enforcement officer at their regular meeting Wednesday. Vernon has an extensive background in law, having served as a magisterial district judge for several years before retiring to become a township supervisor three months ago, taking over Rock Coville’s position.
Chairman Robert Schiffbauer said Ross Girard, the township’s full-time code enforcement officer, has been on medical leave the last two months and said someone is needed to make sure properties meet township ordinances.
“We have some work that needs to be caught up,” Schiffbauer said, noting that the township will take a “more vigorous” approach to code enforcement.
Vernon said he is aware of several properties that do not meet ordinances; however, he said he was unable to issue a citation because he was not a code enforcement officer.
Now that he has the power to write a citation, Vernon said property owners in violation of ordinances will be notified and will be given a grace period to correct the problem before a citation is issued.
Vernon will not be paid extra for the additional responsibilities.
In other matters, supervisors passed a resolution allowing supervisor Thomas Frankhouser to sign the Hopwood Village Reimbursement Agreement that will be submitted to the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
The Hopwood Village Project is a joint effort between the townships of South Union and North Union to dress up the Route 40 community, giving it a look and feel from the early days of the National Road.
Frankhouser said the agreement covers the second phase of work, which includes sidewalk and landscape construction. The project, according to Frankhouser, has been in the works for the last two years, but project planners have been tied up with work to satisfy PennDOT requirements.
PennDOT must grant a highway occupancy permit and permission to bid out the project before any more work can be done.
Frankhouser said the township has about $733,000 set aside for the project.
In addition, supervisors announced that work will begin on the Matthew Drive upgrade project. Matthew Drive is the road that runs between Wal-Mart and Kmart Super Center.
Schiffbauer said plans call for the road to become a four-lane highway. Because of the recent development and the increased traffic flow, Schiffbauer said traffic lights will also be installed.
In other matters, supervisors agreed to accept bids for about 4,000 tons of Superpave that is needed to pave roadways this summer.
Schiffbauer said supervisors are currently putting together a list of roads that need repaved.
“We have a very vigorous program maintaining our roads annually,” he said, noting that Community Development Block Grant money will be used to pave some of the roads, including the streets in Big Brownfield.
Schiffbauer explained that he hopes to have all the paving done by August.